Welcome to Reuben’s Room
A 501 (c) (3) non-profit, all volunteer cat rescue and no-kill sanctuary
located in Grand Rapids, Michigan
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Please note: our new address is: www.reubensroom.org We would appreciate you help in sharing this information with others.
Contact Info: Jeanine Buckner - Reubens Room Cat Rescue and Sanctuary
PO Box 140201 Grand Rapids, MI 49514
Phone (616) 481-6878Reuben's Room does not adopt cats to homes outside of the Grand Rapids area.
Rumor has it that the term 'crazy cat lady' is a direct result of Jeanine Buckner and her crazy love for cats. Jeanine has always been a cat lover, and for years she dreamed of opening her own cat rescue. Finally, after years of encouragement from some of her friends, and some wonderful people who promised to help her and volunteer as often as they could, Reuben's Room Cat Rescue was born. As a vet assistant Jeanine could see first hand that the older the cat got, the less likely it would be to find the cat a new home. Jeanine could also see first hand how a companion cat could help a senior citizen live a better life. When Jeanine started Reuben's Room there were no rescues that dealt with re-homing domesticated cats of all ages. There were also no rescues eager to work with senior citizens. Reuben's Room was founded on the concept of filling both of those needs. Since it's beginning Reuben's Room has operated on the premise that seniors often need companionship, and cats can often fill that roll. Reuben's Room has cats of all ages residing at the rescue, but there are always several cats that would be perfect for a senior who needs some company. Jeanine truly enjoys matching the right personality of one of her cats to the personality of a senior who is going to be adopting a cat from the rescue. Thanks to our 'Worry Free Adoption for Seniors', Reuben's Room does not have to consider age when determining an adoption application. In fact, Reuben's Room has placed cats with 100+ years old senior citizens.
For years Jeanine Buckner dreamed of starting a cat rescue complete with a sanctuary for cats that are no longer candidates for adoption. A rescue that would re-home the domesticated cats that other rescues would not accept. And a rescue that would make it possible for a senior citizen to have just the right cat to keep them company. That dream became Reuben's Room Cat Rescue.
Reuben's Room Cat Rescue is a 501 © (3) non profit rescue/no-kill sanctuary in the greater Grand Rapids Area. Reuben's Room is an alternative cat rescue founded in 2003 by Jeanine Buckner. The purpose of the rescue is to help fill the need for re-homing domesticated cats of all ages. We adopt cats to both single people and families who have a track record of being responsible and loving companions, and who understand a commitment to an animal is a lifetime commitment.
All of our precious adoptables are tested for feline leukemia and FIV. They have been spayed or neutered, and are up to date on any medical/dental needs. They have also been treated for fleas and parasities using Pfizer's Revolution and have been micro chipped for future identification. They are also tested, and if needed treated for heartworm. Our cats are only available for adoption after this has been done.
We also maintain a sanctuary for our cats that are no longer considered adoptable. If you look on our list of adoptable cats, you will also notice that there are several cats listed as "not available." These cats are not the only cats in our sanctuary these are the cats that were adoptable at one time, but are no longer considered adoptable. Often we have more cats in our sanctuary than cats "adoptable cats." Our unadoptable cats still get all necessary medical care, so our costs to keep the sancutary going is huge. So, if you are looking for a truly deserving place to donate, please think of us.
Occasionally someone will drop off cats (usually in cardboard boxes) at our rescue. These people probably believe that we will take them in and provide them shelter. Unfortunately, Reuben's Room rehomes cats, we do not take in strays or ferals.
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Reuben's Room does not have an open door policy.
If you would like to adopt one of our cats, please call 616 481 6878 to make arrangements.
We believe that senior/seniors who are living alone can benefit from a loving feline companion. Through our Worry Free Adoption for Seniors Program we endeavor to match a senior cat with a senior citizen. We can do this because we get to know our cats and their personalities. When a senior tells us what they are looking for in a companion cat, we match the senior with one of our cats we believe will be a good match. If for some reason the match does not work out, we will bring that cat back to the rescue and try another cat until the senior believes that they have the right cat for them. One of the things that make this program special is that if the senior cannot come to the rescue to get their cat we will bring a cat to them!
Through our seniors program we have taken a lot of the worry out of senior adoptions.
Please note: Most of the assisted living places in our area allow residents to have pets. These homes welcome our cats because of our senior program.
We are an all volunteer rescue.
As a 501 © (3) non-profit rescue all donations are tax refundable as allowed by law.
We offer a special 'Worry Free Adoption For Seniors PrWogram'
We offer the Reuben's Room Guarantee
Reuben's Room is an all volunteer rescue that exists and operates solely on funds and donations from the public who believe in our mission. Our surrender and adoption fees do not come close to covering all of our expenses. ALL donations and funds go directly to the care of our cats. To make a donation to our rescue please either use the paypal button below or send a check or money order to:
Reuben's Room Cat Rescue
PO B0X 140201
Grand Rapids, Mi. 49514
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Once a Reuben's Room cat, always a Reuben's Room cat. Any cat adopted from our rescue will be welcomed back at any time, for any reason. All of our adoptions start out with a trial placement. If for some reason the adopter is not happy with one of our cats we ask that you let us know, and bring the cat back to us. There is never a time limit, Reuben's Room asks that if you ever are no longer able to care for one of our cats you bring that cat back to us.
An Example of Our Reuben's Room Guarantee
Morgan
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In 2011 a trio (Bert, Ernie and Morgan) came to Reuben's Room.
As kittens, they were adopted very quickley.
Do to a change of circumstances, she is back at the rescue ready for her next home.
The adopter or the family of the adopter did not have to worry about what would happen to Morgan, they knew she would be safe with us. She is currently waiting to meet her next forever family.
True to our guranatee, before any cat adopted from Reuben's Room actually goes to their new home, they make one last trip to the vet. At that visit the vet does a complete check up. If they find any issues with our cats those issues are addressed before the cat goes to it's new home. In one case, this practice saved two of our cats some health issues and save the new family a lot of money. Cheech and Chong were brothers adopted together. During their last visit to the vet it was discovered that they both had dental issues. Dental issues are common in cats, so we were not surprised. But having those dental issues taken care of cost the rescue well over $100, and thus saved the new family well over $100. We are a small rescue and we run on a shoestring. But we also always provide 100% of all necessary care to our cats to make sure they are healthy, both while they are with us and when they join their new family.
Did You Know????
For some reason it is much harder to get black cats adopted. Perhaps it is because they do not have those rich orange stripes, or adorable brown spots. Whatever the reason, black cats offer the same qualities as other cats, and yet stay at our rescue for much longer than the other cats. If fact, some of our wonderful cats will never get adopted simply because they are black. If you are considering adopting a cat, please consider a black cat.
Reuben's Room takes in cats of all ages, and once a cat enters the rescue they stay with us until they are adopted, or they pass away. For that reason we will always have "Special Needs Cats" that are also fully adoptable cats. This space is dedicated to finding these cats a home.
Becca Flower Petal 4-1-18 1-28-11
Please Note: Birthdate for Becca is an estimate. We know she was less than a year when she joined the rescue, but the actual birthdate is unknown.
White cats with blue eyes are almost always females. And white cats with blue eyes are almost always deaf. That combination often results in cats ending up in shelters. And those cats often stay in rescues indefinitely. We are hoping that our girls do not end up spending their lives at Reuben's Room.
Flower Petal was the first to arrive at the shelter. "Petal" was adopted by a wonderful lady who offered her a wonderful home. She blossomed in that home. However, she was returned to the rescue after she developed the bad habit of chewing on cords. This habit is easily solved by using cord covers that are available at most department stores and/or home improvement stores. Petal has proved herself to be a wonderful companion cat, now we have to find her a home that will cover their cords so that she can blossom in yet another home.
Becca was the next white beauty to arrive. Becca started life in a rough situation, so when she came to Reuben's Room she was one frightened little girl. Becca does have one unique issue. Becca is deaf, so she cannot hear her very loud, very shrill cry. A large area with lots of cats is not something Becca was used to, so she was very shy and scared when she first came to Reuben's Room. Because of her fear Becca used that loud, shrill voice a lot. But as she got used to rescue life she used that voice less and less. At the current time the only time we hear that shrill cry is if she is startled. She is now a little cuddle bug. With time and patience Becca will become a wonderful companion cat.
If you are a person or family who can offer any of these ladies a loving home please give us a call.
Meet KeeKee
KeeKee's birthdate is 1-5-13 and she is 2 ft. declawed. KeeKee is listed as a "special needs" cat due to extreme shyness. KeeKee has been with us for several months and she still shows no sign of coming out of her cage and joining the rest of the gang. In fact there are times when she hides under her bed. We expect that when a cat first comes in, but they are usually ready to leave their cage within a couple of weeks to a few months, but not KeeKee. KeeKee enjoys interaction with people, just not other cats. KeeKee blossoms the minute a volunteer stops by her cage. She enjoys being pet, but absolutely LOVES belly rubs. Due to her shyness we are looking for a home with no other animals, and no small children. If you can offer KeeKee a home and can spend time helping her come out of her shell, please give us a call.
UPDATE: As of 1/8/19 KeeKee has come out of her cage! She has not gone very far, but at least she is out of her cage. We are supplying food, water and litter just outside of her cage, and she is using all of it. But is still not mixing with the rest of the cats. She still LOVES belly rubs, and attention from the volunteers. She may not have gone far, but at least she is out of her cage.
We are still hoping to find a loving home that will give KeeKee a chance to come out of her shell at her own pace. We know she is a loving little Lady, now all she needs is a home that will let her become all that she can be.
Meet Queenie
Are you looking for a cat that is not declawed? Look no further. Queenie, born 11-20-09, fits the bill quite nicely. When Queenie joined the rescue she quickly adjusted to life at a rescue. Our gal is a more laid back cat, you know, the kind that prefers laps more than she does toys. If you are looking for a gal that will warm your bed, couch, etc. as well as your heart, please check her out.
Opportunities to Support Reuben's Room At No Cost To You
Shop Amazon to Help Support Reuben's Room
Reuben's Room is now an "Affiliate Memeber" of Amazon. That means there is yet another way to support Reuben's Room at no cost to you! As an Affiliate Member of Amazon, whenever you shop on Amazon by using the banner link at the bottom of this page, Amazon will give 4%-6% "commission" of the cost of everything you buy (clothes, books, stoves, etc.) to Reuben's Room! If you spend $100, we get $4-$6, if you spend $1000, Reuben's Room gets $40-$60! So please, SHOP TIL YOU DROP, but make sure you use the banner at the bottom of this page when you do!
We have also created an Amazon "Wish List". To get to our list simply click on the same link below which will take you to a page for Pet Supplies. In the upper right hand corner there is a space for Wish Lists. Click on that box, and go to "find a wish list", which is again in the upper right corner area. When you click there it will take you to a page where you can ask for a specific wish list. Just type in Reuben's Room wish list, and click go, and there you are! We have tried to be as reasonable as possible on our list. When we ask for a bed, for instance, you will not find the most expensive beds on our wish list. What you will find is some nice beds for reasonable prices.
So, our wish list and a chance for you to help support us is only a click away. Just scroll down to the banner at the bottom of this page and click "shop now". Please consider asking your friends and family that shop on Amazon to come to this page and click on the banner/link below.
Note: For Reuben's Room to get the 4%-6% "commission" you must ALWAYS go to this page and clink the link below before you start shopping!
Update: It is up and working great! We have been blessed with some things off of our wish list, and we are also getting a 4% commission when you shop on line at Amazon. Or, if enough of our supporters shop for us we can get up to a 6% commission. Our most recent purchase was paper towels, lots and lots of paper towels. Other than cat litter and food, one of our biggest expense is paper towels. Let's face it, when you are trying to keep a rescue nice and clean, you need a whole lot of paper towels, especially when that rescue includes a sanctuary!
We have been fortunate enough to fulfill our need for beds-thank you soooo much.
Note from Jeanine: "We always like to thank someone if they do something nice for us." So, there is a place on Amazon where you can fill out a gift card, and if you do, then we can send you a nice thank you card. Of course, you always have the option of remaining anonymous.
Amazon also offers another program where their shoppers can donate to the charity of their choice. It is called Amazon Smile. To learn more about this program, and how you can donate .05% of what you spend to Reuben's Room, go to smile.amazon.com. Note: in order to donate to a charity via smile.amazon.com you must always go to Amazon via the smile.amazon.com address.
D&W, Family Fare, and Forest Hills Foods have a new "Direct Your Dollars" progam
Do you shop at any of these stores? Do you get gas at any of their gas stations? If you do, please start saving all of your original receipts for your purchases, bundle them up, and send them to us. For every $150,000 in receipts that we collect Reuben's Room will get a $1000 donations from SpartanNash! It may seem like we can never reach $150,000, but the program is open ended, meaning we can continue to collect forever! And with your help, we know we can do it. Especially when you tell all your friends and relatives and they join the effort!
So, start shopping and bundling and send those receipts to our P.O. box:
Reuben's Room Cat Rescue and Sanctuary
P.O. Box 140201
Grand Rapids, Mi. 49514
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Wow! It's working! And our supporters are great!
It is amazing how many of you are collecting and sending us your receipts. We are well on our way to our first $1000! It is obvious that many of you are diligently collecting from relatives and friends too, again, thank you!
Reuben's Room has a "once a Reuben's Rooom cat, always a Reuben's Room Cat" policy, a senior program, and a no-kill policy. That means that ANY cat that is adopted from us will always be welcomed back to the rescue. Since we adopt to senior citizens, our cats often come back when that senior passes away or can no longer care for their cat. Those cats are often senior cats. Some families find that they just can't care for our cats any longer, and lovingly bring our cat back to us. There are all kinds of reasons for us cats to be welcomed back to the rescue.
All rescues have the expense of the day to day cost of maintaining the rescue. But because of our policies, we always have a number of cats that need special supplies due to health reasons, things like special food, fluids, dentals, and extra visits to the vet. Those special needs must be met.
We are proud of our programs and policies. We believe in meeting ALL of the needs of our felines, regardless of the age or health. But our policies mean that we have to absorb costs that other rescues do not. It is only with the help of our supporters that we are able to meet those needs.
James and Dena, Ashley, Barb, Brooke, Denise, Hope, Patty, Sally and Bob, Sally A., Sandy B., Sharon, Tom, and Tracy and Scott Without this team Reuben's Room would cease to exist.
And a special thanks to Steve Kehl who created our first webpage. Then, when we lost our source for that webpage Steve recreated it for us. Without Steve this webpage would cease to exist.
Career Opportunity!
No waiting, no standing in line! We have an immediate opening for one lucky person who would like to join our team of volunteers. If you would like to be that one lucky person give us a call!
Reuben's Room is, and always has been an all volunteer rescue.
If you would like to become a Reuben's Room volunteer please call us at 616 481-6878.
Vounteers must be at least 18 and available for a once a week, 2-4 hour shift (or longer if you just can't stop petting and loving our cats).
If you love cats, and are willing and able to do "down and dirty" cleaning, please give us a call. Our cat's would love to show their appreciation!
Our original "teaching cat" was Carlton. Carlton passed away and Jeanine was wondering how she could replace her precious Carlton. And then came Dexter.
Remember that commercial "Weebles Wobble but they don't fall down?" (If you are too young to remember-google "Weebles") Well Dexter wobbles, but unfortunately he also falls down-a lot. You see, Dexter has "Cerebellar Hypoplasia". You can learn all about Cerebellar Hypoplasia on the internet. This medical condition can cause several different medical problems. In Dexter's case, it has caused a severe coordination problem, and some interesting vision problems. There are several causes of cerebellar hypoplasia, for Dexter it appears that it was caused by a vaccine that his momma had while he was still in the womb. So, when Dexter walks he falls down, and then he gets up and tries again, and he falls down. Dexter does get where he is going sooner or later, it just takes him longer than most cats. And Dexter has a vision problem. It takes him longer to actually focus in on something, so he may look like he is staring into thin air when you talk to him, but give him time and he will be able to check you out, and maybe even wobble over to you. But other than these few little glitches, he is just fine. In spite of his medical problems, Dexter is just one happy little guy. You see, he has always had these problems, so to him it is perfectly natural to have to work a whole lot harder to get things done. Dexter has no idea he is different. He can eat, drink, sleep and play just like the other cats. Well, maybe not quite like other cats because things can get pretty messy when he eats or drinks, but that just makes him even more loveable. He even uses the litter box like a good little boy. Ok, well, that can get pretty messy too, but at least the little guy does use the litter box! Obviously steps and climbing can be a problem for Dexter, but we have that covered. Dexter is happily residing in our sanctuary room where there are no steps or other large objects for him to trip over.
Dexter was brought to Reuben's Room after he was abandoned by his owner and a caring neighbor took him in. When he first arrived we had no idea what was causing his erratic movements, but we did know that he was cute and adorable and a little winner! And now we know his medical problem, and we know that he can live a nice long "normal for him" life. We also plan on putting the little guy to work in the classroom. When Dexter and Jeanine go to classes Dexter is going to help the kids learn that being different is not necessairly a bad thing, and that EVERYBODY has value. If you would like to have Jeanine and Dexter visit your school, please give us a call.
Even though Dexter is not available for adoption, we have posted pictures of this cute little fella on the "cats adopted from Reuben's Room now in forever homes" because he has been adopted by Reuben's Room and he probably IS in his forever home. Be sure to check out his pictures because it sure looks like Dexter is a happy little guy, and it even looks like he is smiling right at you!
Special Thanks
To Sleepy Hollow Pet Cemetery for sponsoring our ad in Cats and Dogs magazine. If you find yourself in need of burial services, please check out these wonderful, caring people.
Thank you to all of you who work behind the scenes with us. While we cannot list all of you, please rest assured that whatever you do for the rescue does make a difference and is greatly appreciated.
We would like to say thank you to Bissell for their continue efforts on behalf of the pets in this area. Thanks to Bissell we were able to reach out to the community and help with low cost to no cost spay and neuter.
Cat Mountain Cat Trees
If you are looking for a special gift for your favorite feline, a gift that will also make you a very happy cat lover, check out Cat Mountain Cat Trees. Every cat tree is designed to meet your needs and requests. Why settle for a tree, when you can have a mountain! Check out their website at: www.catmountaincattrees.com.
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Amazon has 2 progams that can help us out-Amazon Affliate and Amazon smile.
Check out the explanation above to learn all about them.
Check out the new "DIRECT YOUR DOLLARS" program offered by Spartan Stores.
A complete explanation of this program is given earlier on this page. Please read that area to learn how to help us out-again-at no cost to you.
Volunteers needed
Reuben’s Room is seeking responsible volunteers to add to our volunteer staff. Commitment is for a morning shift of approximately 2-3 hours. We have openings for both weekdays and weekends. We are not looking for volunteers to pet and entertain the cats, but rather someone willing to do hands on work. Volunteer duties will include such things as cleaning cages and litter boxes, laundry, sweeping and mopping. Experience working with animals is a plus but not a requirement. Volunteers must be reliable and able to work independently. If you are a person who loves cats and can commit to a weekly 2-3 morning shift, please give us a call at: 616-481-6878. Please be sure to leave your contact information so that we can in touch with you and talk directly about the opportunity to become one of our volunteers.
Gift Cards
Another great way to help the rescue is gift cards from such places as Meijers, Target, or a pet store of your choice. This allows us to purchase food, medication, cleaning supplies, bedding, litter, and other necessities needed to continue our mission. We appreciate your generosity, large or small. We would not exist without your support.
